Recently purchased a 214,xxx mile 1996 F150 4x4 short cab long bed 300six 5 speed


I have to throw in a radius arm bushings and or bracket because i have a clunk when i go over bumps, atleast from a visual inspection that seems like the issue.

while im under the truck and have it on the lift, id like to make use of my time. I recently did a oil change with rotella, but it shifts sorta rough so i am considering these things to do while on the lift:

-shock upgrade, unsure so advice is welcome
-transmission fluid change; atf or synchromesh? Seen alot of conflicting opinions
-chrome fender liner replacement
-upgrading head unit to support bluetooth
-head lights seem trash; just update the stock bulbs?

 

Shocks? Bilstein, that's what I use on all of my rigs.
M5OD uses ATF.
Chrome fender liner? I've no idea what this is.
Good Upgrade.
Yes. Polishing the lenses is usually something that will help a bunch, as well as installing a headlight relay setup.

I'm curious as to why you think the engine oil has anything to do with how the transmission shifts. That's very much a non-sequitur.

 

i dont think theyre related, i just worded the sentence improperly. My bad

 

Agree with above.

Moog has some nice, HD radius arm bushings. Their progressive rate coils also ride quite nice when paired with Bilstein HD shocks.

Flush your brakes while easy. Gravity bleed the clutch hydraulics. Inspect pedal box bushings and shifter bushings. Verify diff is full or top off, could service too. Drain and fill radiator.

Maybe fresh air filter. Fresh Motorcrap spark plugs.

I dig my JVC headunits with all the ups and extras you could want.

 

For headlights get OEM Ford or TYC replacements with quality clear bulbs like Philips Xreme, GE Nighthawk, or Sylvania Xtravision. Any bluish coated bulb like Silverstar is junk. And then get a pair of headlight relays. This will make the headlights as good as then can get. Nearly all the aftermarket junk on Ebay/Amazon is actually junk.

For shocks Bilstein are the best but something like KYB are decent if you have a budget. Rancho sucks and Monroe is usable but not that great.

For the transmission I would use the fluid that Ford calls for.

Another suggestion would be changing the fuel filter and doing a tune up.

I would replace the radius arm and axle pivot bushings at the same time. This way you can slide the whole assembly forward for the radius arm bushing. I mostly use the Energy Suspension stuff here, but Moog should be fine.

Check all the ball joints and tie rod ends etc. They may be worn out.

My favorite springs for these trucks are Superlift 117 leveling coils. The trucks ride and handle better with them.

I like Pioneer head units with USB AUX BT and no CD etc. They are smaller and lighter weight. I would only buy a radio that illuminates green or has the RGB color adjustment. If it only lights up the trendy bright blue, I won't buy it.